Handle switch construction



Aug. 12, 1930. R. F. SHUNK 1,772,964

HANDLE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l i B guwwfi Azzorngy AugQlZ, 1939. R. F. SHUNK 1,772,964

HANDLE SWITCH CONSTRUCT I ON Filed Oct. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-$hee 2 Inventor Attorn qy idetented Aug. 12, 1930 UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE nor" E'SHUNK, or serum, onro, nssrenoze ro'r'nn mnnrcan rLoon sunracme v I v MACHINE COMPANY, or TOLEDO, onro HANDLE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 1 Application filed October 24,1928. Serial in 314,69

" This invention has reference to an improved electric switch and complemental handle structure'for domestic vacuum cleaners and the like and particularly for a new a household waxer manufactured and distributed by the American Floor Surfacing MachineCo, the assignee of this invention;

attempting to fulfill the needs of ecoheroic and expeditious production of this in portable waxer, I have discovered an arrange- ,ment of switch assembly, pistol hand-grip and operating trigger which makes for greater compactness and convenient structure, minimizes labor, saves time, materially 3.5 reduces cost of manufacture and sale, and increases quantity output, and thereby functions to provide a valuable and novel contribution to the art; I t,

I am aware of the fact that it is not new to embody a switch and control or operating member in the handle construction of vacuum cleaners and the like. It follows therefore that my princi claim is to provide a structure which is elieved to be a mechanical achievement beyond known prior art devices, a structure which is practicable, modern ineneral arrangement, highly efiicient in perormance, and susceptible of fulfilling the requirements of an invention of this class in an a positive and dependable manner.

In the drawing:

, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side View in elevation showing the external configuration and arrangement,

Figure 2 is a view based on Figure 1, with portions broken away and shown in section v to disclose the internal mechanism,

Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2 with portions broken away "and in section, to show' the construction and relationship of certain other details,

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the details,

Figure 5 is a view in section and elevation showing the method of assembling the detai s,

Fi ure 8 is a sectional view taken approximate y upon the plane of the line -6-6 of Figure 1, V v

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the such as is ordinarily provided for vacuum cleaners, floor waxers and the like. It is to be noted'however that the customary coiled spring near the upper open end is omitted and an opening is formed in one side in which a rubber ring like bushing 11 is placed. One branch or end portion 12 of the electric conductor 13 extends through this and the other branch or stretch 14 extends down through the tube where it is connected with the electric motor (not shown).

Thelconductor is bent upon itself and a protective casing is slit at the bend to dispose wired ends 15 and 16 connected with the circuit closing means. A

Considering Figure 5 it will be observed that the circuit closing means embodies a frame 17 including a metal portion 18 and a fiber portion 19, the fiber portion being constructed as shown in cross section in Figure 3 to provide a track. There is mounted upon this fiber portion an outstanding contact and wire anchoring clips 20 and '21 in which the wire ends 15 and 16 are respectively connected.

As shown plainly in Figures 2 and 5, this frame constitutes a carrier for .a floating circuit closing device generally designated by the reference character 22. This device is preferably made up of a pair of spaced parallel, plates 23 of the design shown in Figure this plate having a notched head 2% at one shown in Figurev to stop it.

tact device.

the motor and move to a neutral position as Directing attention now more particularly to Figure 2 it will be seen that novel control and operating means is provided foractuating this spring circuit closer or movable conslidable trigger 28 in the-form of an elonthe furcations designated at 35.

gated slotted block composed of insulation.

material. wing-like actuator 30.

The wings act as stops and carry a centralized extension 31 which cooperates with a pin slidably received in the slot 25. of the two plates 23. This wing-like actuator is pivoted at 32 in the metal portion of the frame. Thus, I provide a novel pin and slot connection between the actuator 30 and the floating circpit Pivoted in the slot as at 29 is a closing device 22. p

The parts 17, 20,21, 22, 28 and 30 provide a novel switch assembly or units. vThis arrangement is advantageous in that it permits the units to be pre-m'ade so'that it can be easily slipped into the tubular handle l0 when. desired.

Incidentally I call attentionto sleeve 330i insulation material which surrounds the assembly as shown in Figure 5. Closely associated with the tubular handle and the switch assembly is the pistol. grip 34 which. is con- ,structed of insulation material.

The small end of this grip is bifurcated in At the inner ends of the furcations is a counter recess 36 forming a pocket for reception of the slidable trigger 28.

The construction is assembled as follows.-

The free end of the stretch 140i the conductor 13 must first pass through the rubber bushing 11 and out through the open end of the metal tube 10. The cable is then bent upon itself and the casing is split and the wire cutas shown in Figure 7 in order to expose the wire ends 15 and 16. This enables the mechanic to readily connect the wire end with the clip 20 while the switch assembly is in spaced relation from the end of the tubular handle.

The end of the switch assembly is brought into position shown in Figure 5 and shoved into the handle and wires 12 and 14 drawn to take up slack. Then the pistol grip is put into position by telescoping the iurcations into the insulation sleeve 33 where they straddle the switch assembly and dispose the'trigger 28 in the pocket 36. Finally the retaining screws 37 are put in position to hold the structure thus assembled.

The advantage of this arrangement is primarily an economic one. It has been found that this method of assembly will eliminate practically all labor, will eliminate the/ens tomary metal cover plate and attaching plate, the protecting spring which is generally used to retard the wearing through the insulation I first direct attention to the which are held together. firml of the power supply cordpr line where it enters the middle portion of the tubular handle, as well as a goodly portion of the pistol gri material.

is economy when considered in connection with the overhead generally charged to manufacturing activities amounts to considerable when a large volume of productionis in process. The grip is made of non-com ducting material and is slotted or bifurcated backward from the connecting end to receive the switch assembly. 1

' The metalportion'of the handle is well insulated from the switch by the cylindrical insulating sleeve which fits' snugly in the tube and tightly over the fiber handle and the switch control is different in form and utility than the control generally employed v in switches and retains the switch from any foreign movement. The control extends above and below the rearward point of the union between the metal t'ubejandthe'pistolgrip erally disposed retaining screw 7 In conclusion it is'though that the structure herein shown and describedis something which will supersede prior art structures,

' something which is practical and modern'and which has beenunequalledin the art. The distinguishing features will however be quite apparent to persons skilled in the art towhich the invention relates for which reasons a yi y h la more detailed description isregarded unessential. I

Having thusdescribed my invention, what Iclaimasnewis: v

1. In a structure of the class described, a hollow tubular handle, a switch assembly in said handle, and'a solid hand grip havinga portion fitting telescopically in said handlesaid handle and a switch assembly inc uding a control triglger confined between the ureations of said and gri 4;. In a structure 0 the class described,a tubular handle, a solid pistol gripof insulation material bifurcated at its inner end to provide vertically disposed furcations, said furcations fitting telescopically into said handle, and a switch assembly including amechani'sm carrier frame, and an elongated block like operating trigger pivotally connected to said frame and movable in a vertical direction at right angles to the longitudinal axis till ' provide vertically of said handle, said frame and trigger being passage of an electric current conductor cable:i v

a rub er ring-like bushing fitted into sai opening, a switch disposed in said handle a solid hand grip having a bifurcated en'd fit ting telescopically in said handle and embracing said switch, and a conductor cable extending through said bushing and into the tube and having its inner end portion bent upon itself to extend down through the tube, portions of the vwire at said bend being cut and bared and connected with said switch.

6. In a structure of the class described a tubular handle, a solid istol grip of ins ation material bifurcated at its inner end to ody thereof, a. switch assembly including a mechanism carrying frame and an elongated block-like operating trigger pivotally connected to said frame, said frame being strad-' disposed furcations, said pistol grip having a vertically disposed gocket Where the furcations merge with the 

